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A Single Shard

Tree-ear, an orphan, lives under a bridge in Ch'ulp'o, a potters' village famed for delicate celadon ware. He has become fascinated with the potter's craft; he wants nothing more than to watch master potter Min at work, and he dreams of making a pot of his own someday.

When Min takes Tree-ear on as his helper, Tree-ear is elated — until he finds obstacles in his path: the backbreaking labor of digging and hauling clay, Min's irascible temper, and his own ignorance. But Tree-ear is determined to prove himself — even if it means taking a long, solitary journey on foot to present Min's work in the hope of a royal commission . . . even if it means arriving at the royal court with nothing to show but a single celadon shard.

A Newbery Medal Winner

Ages

11, 12, 13

Interest Level

Grades 6 - 8

Grade Level Equivalent

6.8

Lexile Measure

920L

DRA

50

Guided Reading

U

Publisher

Clarion Books

Number of Pages

160

Genre

Historical Fiction

About the Author

Linda Sue ParkLinda Sue Park started writing children's books in the mid-90's, first retelling Korean folktales and later working on her novels. Her works include A Single Shard , Seesaw Girl , and The Kite Fighters .